Open access journals have transformed academic publishing by making knowledge freely available to readers worldwide. For authors, they provide greater visibility, accessibility, and opportunities for collaboration. However, not all open access journals operate with integrity. Some exist primarily to make money, often at the cost of scholarly credibility and academic trust.
These so-called predatory journals or “vanity presses” exploit researchers by charging fees while skipping the most essential step of publishing—rigorous peer review. Once your paper is published in such outlets, you lose control over your scholarship, and republishing in a legitimate journal is usually impossible. Worse still, low-quality or unchecked articles misinform readers and weaken the reliability of academic literature as a whole.
So, how can you tell whether a journal is credible or questionable? Here are eight key indicators.
1. Submission Fees Instead of Publication Fees
Reputable open access journals charge publication fees only after a manuscript is accepted following peer review. In contrast, questionable journals demand submission fees (sometimes called “handling fees”) even before acceptance. These can be excessively high—sometimes more than $700—and are often hidden until after submission.
Another red flag is if the journal claims to be “open access” but requires authors to hand over copyright. Ethical open access journals allow authors to retain copyright, usually under a Creative Commons license.
2. Weak or Absent Editorial Board
The editorial board reflects the strength and credibility of a journal. A well-run journal lists recognized scholars with expertise in the field. If you don’t recognize any names, or if the board is listed as “coming soon,” proceed with caution.
Always check the editorial board members’ credentials by looking up their publications in other reputable outlets. A journal without an editor-in-chief or a visible board should be avoided.
3. One Publisher, Hundreds of New Journals
Predatory publishers often launch large suites of journals all at once, many with identical naming patterns such as “The New Journal of…” or “International Journal of…”.
If a publisher claims to manage hundreds of journals across dozens of disciplines, it’s unlikely they can maintain quality editorial oversight or attract qualified reviewers for all of them.
4. Missing or Delayed Issues
A trustworthy journal publishes issues on schedule because it receives enough quality submissions. If a journal promises a new issue every quarter but has not released one in months (or years), it signals mismanagement and lack of scholarly activity.
5. Poor Website Quality
The professionalism of a website often reflects the credibility of the journal. Warning signs include:
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Excessive advertisements for irrelevant services (e.g., car rentals, florists).
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Numerous typos and poorly written text.
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Lack of clear contact information.
Legitimate journals may carry some ads, but these are usually related to scholarly societies, academic services, or industry partners.
6. Misleading Journal Titles
Some questionable journals add “American,” “British,” or “International” to their titles to appear more reputable than they really are. Unless the editorial team and contributors genuinely represent these regions or the global community, such titles can be misleading.
While the use of such terms isn’t always fraudulent, it should prompt you to investigate further.
7. Fundamental Errors in Published Papers
Occasional typos are normal, but frequent or serious scientific errors in published work suggest a lack of peer review. For example, repeated misuse of terms like Vibrio cholera instead of Vibrio cholerae indicates reviewers and editors unfamiliar with the field.
Before submitting, browse through recently published articles. Consistent mistakes are a strong indicator of poor editorial standards.
8. Content Does Not Match the Journal’s Scope
If a journal titled International Journal of Mechanical Engineering publishes articles on pediatric cancer treatment, that’s a clear warning sign.
Good journals may accept interdisciplinary work, but the content should always align with the expertise represented by their editorial board and the journal’s stated scope.
Final Thoughts
Not all new or unfamiliar journals are predatory—some may simply be in the early stages of development. But when a journal displays several of these warning signs together, it’s best to dig deeper before submitting your work or citing its content.
Protecting your research from questionable journals safeguards not just your own academic credibility but also the broader integrity of the scientific record. Always prioritize quality over speed and choose journals that demonstrate transparency, rigorous peer review, and ethical publishing practices.
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